Canberra (VNA) – The 28th annualmeeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 28) wrapped up inCanberra, Australia, on January 15 afternoon with the adoption of 19 resolutionsand a joint communique.

The high-ranking delegation of the VietnameseNational Assembly (NA), led by Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, took an activepart in the event and co-sponsored two resolutions on trade and digitaleconomies.

In his closing speech, Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives of Australia Tony Smith affirmed that after nearly 30 years,the APPF has substantially contributed to the building of friendship,solidarity and cooperation in the region and illustrated its role as astraightforward, constructive and mutually respecting forum with the aim ofensuring peace, stability, prosperity and harmony in the region.

The APPF 28 discussed a number of issues at thethree plenary sessions on politics and security, economy – trade, and cooperationin the Asia-Pacific region. At the meeting of the women parliamentarians,participants looked into the improvement of women and girls’ access toeducation, innovation and technology, and the promotion of women’s empowermentduring the decision-making process at all levels.

On the sidelines of the APPF 28, NA ViceChairman Phong had bilateral meetings with Chairwoman of the Lao NA PanyYathotou, President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Heng Samrin, and DeputyPresident of the Australian Senate Sue Lines.

Meeting with Chairwoman of the Lao NA PanyYathotou, Vice Chairwoman Phong expressed her delight at the increasinglysubstantive development of the great friendship, special solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and states.

She noted in the time ahead, the two sides willcontinue working together to implement cooperation programmes and hold meetingsto share information about and experience in the fields of both parliaments’concern. Phong voiced her belief that with efforts and high determination ofthe countries’ leaders, ministries and sectors, bilateral cooperationprogrammes will be fruitful.

Chairwoman Pany Yathotou spoke highly ofVietnam’s assistance to the construction of the Lao NA’s building, noting thatshe hopes relevant agencies of both sides will coordinate well to acceleratethe construction progress and complete the building on schedule with qualityensured.

She also asked the two sides to soon organiseexperience sharing workshops on tax management, customs, prosecution, land,policies for ethnic minority groups, and full-time parliamentarians.

Talking to President of the Cambodian NA SamdechHeng Samrin, Phong underlined that Vietnam always considers the bilateralrelations as a precious asset that needs to be maintained and passed down tofuture generations. Therefore, they should increase educating people,especially the young, on the traditional relationship, solidarity and all-roundcooperation.

She also called for more external activities ofthe countries’ parliamentary friendship groups and friendship associations,along with people-to-people diplomatic activities.

Expressing his delight at the sound bilateralcooperation in all fields, Heng Samrin thanked Vietnam for supporting Cambodiaduring the times in the past as well as the national development process atpresent. He also appreciated its financial assistance for the construction ofthe building of the Cambodian NA’s Secretariat and committees.

The Cambodian NA leader highly valued the recentsigning of the supplementary treaty to the 1985 Treaty on the Delimitation ofNational Boundaries and the 2005 Supplementary Treaty, and the protocol on landborder demarcation between Vietnam and Cambodia. He described the documents ashistoric achievements, helping to build a border of peace, stability,cooperation and development.

Heng Samrin also noted with satisfaction thebilateral trade of 4 billion USD in 2019, expressing his hope that the figurewill reach 5 billion USD soon.

Talking to Deputy President of the AustralianSenate Sue Lines, NA Vice Chairwoman Phong applauded the APPF 28’s theme andAustralia’s professional organisation of the meeting. 

She highlighted the growing relations betweenthe countries and thanked Australia for supporting Vietnam over the past years.Particularly, she spoke highly of the Australian Government and parliament’sfavourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the nation.

Sue Lines appreciated the Vietnamese community’scontributions to her country and voiced her wish to further promote cooperativeties between the two countries, including between their parliaments./.